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(No Model.)

F. N. PORSTER.

PAPER BdX.

No. 358,806. Patented Mar. 1, 188 7.

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UNITED r FRANK N. FORSTER, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

PAPER BOX.

SPECIFICATION formine part of Letters Patent No. 358,806, dated March 1,1887.

Application liled January 19, 1886. Serial No. 189,100. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK N. Fonsrna, of the city of Buffalo, in thecounty of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Paper Boxes, ofwhieh the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to that class of paper boxeswhich are designed for holding matches, and has for its object toconstruct a paper box in which matches can be packed for the trade, andwhich can be readily converted into a match safe, from which the matchesare removed as they are required for use.

My invention consists, to that end,in the particular construction of thepaper box, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out inthe claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view ofmy improved box in the position in which it is used as a match-safe.Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the box filled with matches and havingits lid or cover closed. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a blank from whichmy'improved box is formed. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of amodified construction of the box.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the blank of paper or paperboard, which is cut to therequired shape for forming my improved match-box. The body of thebox,which is formed from the blank A, consists of a back or bottomportion, 1), an end portion, 0, two side portions, 0? d, and two frontor face portions, 0 e. The bottom or back I) is formed from the centerof the blank A, and the end portion, 0, is formed from a continuation ofone end of the portion 1), by folding or bending the blank on atransverse line,

f, drawn across the blank A near one end thereof. The sides (I d areformed by folding the blank on the longitudinal lines 9 g, which aredrawn parallel with each other on oppo site sides of the bottom portion,b and which form the dividing-line between the bottom and sides of thebox. The front or face portions, 0 6, form continnations of the sideportions, d d, and are formed by folding the blank on the lines h h,which are drawn parallel with the lines gg, and at the point of divisionbetween the sides and the front of the box.

i i are two-corner-pieces formed on one end of each front portion, e e,by the bend or fold of the blank on the line f. When the blank has beenfolded to the position to form a box, as shown in Fig. 1, thecorner-pieces 1; 2 will rest upon the end portion, a, and by cementingthese parts together by glue or other suit able adhesive material theparts forming the body of the box will be held firmly in position.

jj are small end flaps formed at one end of the side portions, (1 d, andresting upon the corner-pieces i i when the parts are folded, as shownin Fig. 1. The fiapsj are glued to the flaps z, and serve to strengthenthe sides of the box.

K represents a longitudinal slot formed in the front or face of the boxbetween the two front portions, 6 e, and which extends the entire lengthof the body of the box. The front portions, e e, at the top of the boxare connected together by a cross-strip, Z, which may be made of thesame material of which the box is formed, and cemented or glued to theface portions 6 e, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2; or, if desired, a strip ofmetal may be employed by folding and clamping the same over the edges ofthe portions 0 e, as shown in Fig. 4. r

N represents the top or cover of the box. The cover N forms acontinuation of the portion b, and is formed by folding the blank on thetransverse lines o 0. The cover N is made longer than the thickness ofthe box, and is provided at its outer end with an extension, a, which isadapted to be inserted under the cross-strip Z and front portions, 6 6,when the cover is closed, as shown in Fig. 2.

p p are small end flaps formed on the side portions, (2 d, and providedwith straight edges p, so that when the flaps p are folded on the line 0the edges 1) will stand parallel and adjacent to the front portions, 6e. When the cover N has been closed and its extension n inserted underthe front portions, 6 e, the straight edges 1) of the end flaps, 1),will bear against the cover and retain it in place.

The cover N is provided with asuitable eyelet-hole, q, whereby the boxcan be hung upon a hook, 1-, when it is desired to be used as amatch-safe, the matches being readily re moved therefrom as required byinserting the .finger through the longitudinal slot or opening K andraising the matches to the top of the box.

By packing the matches in the box as shown 5 in Fig. 2 the ends of thematches are protected by the portions 6 e, which form the face or frontportion of the box.

I am aware a box or match-safe having a vertical opening in its front,through which the matches are exposed, is not new, and I do not broadlyclaim such construction.

I claim as my invention 1. A paper box formed of a single blankcontaining a back portion, 1), side portions, d d, front portions, e 6,formed at the outer edges of the side portions, (2, and made of lessag-' gregate width than the back I), to leave an opening, K, a bottompiece, 0, and a cover, N, formed at opposite ends of the back b, and 20a cross-piece, Z, connecting the upper ends of the front pieces, 0,substantially as set forth.

2. A paper box for matches, composed of a back portion, b, end portion,a, side portions, d d, and front portions, 6 e, the sides (2 andportions 6 being secured to the end portion, 0, by flaps i and j, across-piece, Z, connecting the upper ends of the front portions, 6 e, alongi: tudinal slot, K, extending the length of the box and arrangedcentrally between the front ,portions, e e, and a cover, N, providedwith an eyelet-hole, q, and adapted to engage under the front portions,0 e, substantially as set forth. I

Witness my hand this 13th dayiof January, 1886.

FRANK N. FORSTER.

\Vitnesses:

JNo. J. BONNER, THEO. L. PoPP.

